DAVID CAMERON has tried to goad public sector unions into striking by warning that he could call in the Army to do their jobs.

No10 aides are briefing that troops could be used to keep key services running if a proposed general strike over public sector pay and pensions goes ahead.

Unions are furious over claims that Whitehall officials have been drawing up plans which could see soldiers stand in for prison officers, firefighters, fuel tanker drivers and even train and Tube drivers.

The TUC Congress this week backed a motion to explore the possibility of a general strike, although the practicalities of a walkout make it virtually impossible.

But the Government are keen to provoke strikes so they can blame unions for the weak economic recovery.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “The Government should concentrate on resolving issues through negotiation, not the provocative use of troops as strikebreakers.

“It is hard to think that the armed services would be happy to be used in this highly political way. It would mark the UK out from other advanced democracies.”

Former head of the Army General Sir Mike Jackson said the use of troops was possible, but would be a “very political decision”.

Downing Street played down the briefing yesterday.

They said there were contingency plans in place to respond to any strikes, but Cameron’s spokesman said the Prime Minister had not been in touch with the Army about the idea of using soldiers to break strikes.

Troops have manned fire engines during disputes.

Soldiers were trained last year to drive oil tankers ahead of a proposed strike which never happened.